What to Read: Children’s Books about Rocks and Minerals

Studying geology in your homeschool this year? Good news: today I’m sharing my list of children’s books about rocks and minerals to help you learn.

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This list of books about rocks and minerals is primarily for elementary aged kiddos, but some titles will also work for preschoolers and even middle schoolers.

Also, there’s a good mix of nonfiction books, living books, and picture books. Regardless of your preference, you’ll find at least one or two to help you learn all about rocks and minerals with your kids.

Children’s Books about Rocks and Minerals

Before we jump into the list, keep in mind that it’s uncommon to find geology-themed books that support young earth biblical creation.

That’s not to say that all of these books contradict that belief, but it’s wise to read in advance and choose how to approach any conflicting references with your kids if you teach with a young earth worldview in mind.

Now that the above disclaimer is out of the way, let’s get on to the books:

1. A Rock Is Lively

Like we’ve come to expect from any book by Dianna Hutts Aston and Sylvia Long, A Rock Is Lively is a truly beautiful book. If you only grab one book about rocks and minerals, this one is more than enough.

The text provides an overview of rocks through a lyrical, yet informative tone while the gorgeous illustrations help readers see rocks and their beauty like never before.

2. Rocks, Fossils, & Arrowheads

This title from the Take Along Guides series provides overviews of commonly found rock types and features activities and space for drawing or taking notes.

3. If You Find a Rock

If You Find a Rock features lovely, calming text and photos of rocks and celebrates them and all the places they’re found.

4. National Geographic Kids Everything Rocks and Minerals

Got a visual learner? Everything Rocks and Minerals is a great book option. It includes tons of stunning photographs and shares information through an eye-catching (and often infographic style) layout.

5. Rhoda’s Rock Hunt

This cute book follows a little girl named Rhoda, her aunt, and uncle as they hike through the woods and come across lots of rocks.

If you like Rhoda’s Rock Hunt, consider looking for Scavenger Scout: Rock Hound. It has a similar premise, but includes a fun look-and-find element.

6. Jump into Science with Rocks and Minerals

Jump into Science with Rocks and Minerals is a good choice for learning about rocks and minerals with preschoolers and younger elementary learners. It’s a good age-appropriate introduction to rocks and minerals and includes plenty of engaging visuals.

7. Let’s Go Rock Collecting

From Amazon’s description, in Let’s Go Rock Collecting, “readers follow two enthusiastic rock hounds around the globe as they add to their collection.

Along the way they will learn how sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks are formed. From the Egyptian pyramids to Roman roads, from the diamond ring on your finger to the pebbles under your feet’rocks are everywhere!”

8. Rocks: Hard, Soft, Smooth, and Rough

We found Rocks: Hard, Soft, Smooth, and Rough at our local library and didn’t expect it to be one of our favorite books about rocks, but were pleasantly surprised. It pairs simple, yet informative text with colorful and (also) simple cutout illustrations and does a great job explaining details about rocks in an understandable way.

9. The Rock Factory: The Story About the Rock Cycle

Looking for a book that focuses on the rock cycle? If so, The Rock Factory is a great book choice for your study of rocks and minerals. It’s ideal for elementary ages and explains rock and mineral formation in a clear and matter-of-fact way.

10. If Rocks Could Sing

This one isn’t necessarily a book about rocks in the same sense as the others on this list, but it’s a fun one nonetheless. While it doesn’t provide the standard information about rocks, it does highlight all their unique shapes and sizes. It’s also a good reminder that nature can be lots of fun. 🙂

11. Rocks in His Head

Rocks in His Head is an inspiring true story about a curious man who collected rocks and where his love for rocks led him. We LOVED this one!

12. Geology Lab for Kids

While it’s not exclusively about rocks and minerals, Geology Lab for Kids is a great help if you’re looking for project ideas to include while studying rocks. It’s also a good option for showing how rocks and minerals tie into geology as a whole.

What about you? Do you have some favorite books about rocks and minerals? Share them with us in the comments so we can check into them!